disingenuous
adjective
Not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one actually does; insincere.
Etymology
From "dis" (not) + "ingenuous" (innocent, frank), from Latin "ingenuus" (native, freeborn). The opposite of genuine openness.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"His disingenuous apology fooled no one."
- 2.
"It's disingenuous to claim ignorance of well-known facts."
- 3.
"The company's disingenuous statement avoided addressing real concerns."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Unlike "dishonest" (outright lying), "disingenuous" suggests a subtler form of insincerity—presenting oneself as more innocent or ignorant than one truly is. It's deception by omission or misdirection.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 12 letters (D, I, S, I, N, G, E, N, U, O, U, S)
Scrabble Value: 14 points
Tip: Look for common letter combinations like "DI" at the start of words.
Put Your Vocabulary to the Test!
Ready to find words like "disingenuous" in a puzzle? Try today's Zabble challenge!